Tuesday, October 4, 2011

All Good Things Must Come to an End...

I know that the title of my Grandma Bernie's post is a big cliché, but at certain times old people say exactly what everybody is feeling and thinking. I didn’t know what I thought I was going to write about when I asked to write my Grandma’s last blog; if I was going to tell a story about our relationship or if I was just going to reiterate her obituary. I have struggled to get started, and have seemingly developed writers block about the topic.

Is it even possible to put your love and affection into words about someone you have known and relied on your entire life? How can I even show how great she was to her friends and her family? It was a struggle, but this is what I have put forth.

Most relationships are built on a common interest. For my grandma and me, it was the Green Bay Packers. I still remember the days she would take me and my brothers to training camp when we would visit her in Green Bay. I, the youngest of three brothers, would be timid and didn’t like to approach the players to get their autographs. Grandma Bernie was always there pushing me forward and whispering in my ear what to say to the players. Making me ask for their autographs myself and showing me that I shouldn’t be nervous. Because of her, my brothers and I through the years would run all over Lambeau’s parking lot getting as many autographs as possible.

I credit her for my borderline obsession with the team and its players. For the past couple years I would call her before, at halftime, and after every Packers game. We would talk about our predictions and the outcomes of the game. It was always our topic of choice and we would never get exhausted talking about it.

Those calls brought us closer together even though we lived a thousand miles away. So, it was only fitting that she would have passed watching the Packers game; the first game in a long time, where we hadn’t talked about it beforehand because she was too ill. I was in Alabama watching the game with my friends when I got the call that she had passed. I shut myself in my room, not able to watch the game.

Through the rest of my life I look forward to thinking about her every time the Pack is on TV, and every time the opposing team scores a touchdown, I will yell, “Oh, shit” for my Grandma Bernie, cause that was what she always said.

I feel a little selfish just talking about our relationship, but I am using it as an example to show the love she had for her family. I feel when you read her obituary that was posted in the previous post, you only see her accomplishments and a little of the fun outgoing personality that she possessed. It does not show how she was a grandparent that every child would want; a loving and caring women that wasn’t afraid to kick your ass if she needed to.

Rules were more guidelines to her that could be bent any which way. She was always accepting of everyone and always gave them a chance until you crossed her. Then you needed to earn your way back into her good graces. (And you wanted to be in them) The quirky personality that she had was hard not to love. She had a personal relationship with everybody in the family and was not afraid to tell her opinion on what everyone should do.

I will miss the hunts for a USA Today so she could have her daily crossword puzzle. The “sss” that she did unknowingly when she was concentrating on something. The infamous Kleenex tissues that littered the ground everywhere she went. The orange juice and water that she only took two sips of, but had to have every night before she went to bed.

Her love for the lake and the calm that would come over her when she would swim. The “dive” that everyone knows she would do while she would swim. The card games we wouldn’t want to play at first, then realized how fun they were. The world famous “Bill and Bernice Show” that everyone in the family loved to see on mornings when we thought we wanted to sleep in.

All of these things are the things I am going to miss most. I didn’t know that I would, but given the fact that I won’t see or hear them anymore and won’t ever again is disheartening. She was a wonderful woman and I will miss her a lot. She will always be in me and my families’ thoughts for as long as we shall live.

She really enjoyed writing this blog, and loved it when you guys would comment and show your thoughts about her topic of choice. It brought her much joy, and I hope it brought you guys the same. This is the last blog post that will appear and I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of her readers. I hope I did an adequate job. She is a hard act to follow.

35 comments:

Ian I see that you have been able to follow in the great lady's footsteps.While it may be trite to say she will live on in your wonderful memories of her and the inspiration she gave you, I hope it will be true.Sincere condolences to you and all the family, she will not be forgotten her in blogland.I have written a tribute post to her at The Good Life you might like to read.

A big hug to you, Ian. Knowing your grandmother through her writing, she was a vibrant, intelligent woman who lived every bit of her life. In what you wrote, you told us about the pieces of her that live on in you. May you find comfort in that and cherish her memory.

Oh dear Ian, what a lovely tribute to your Grandma Bernie. She would surely offer up words of praise for doing such a well thought out post written from the heart. You might be surprised in the years to come how many memories you will have of her, and how many stories you will have to share with your own children. Job well done here, but I wouldn't expect anything less from the son of Julie and grandson of Bernie!

Ian, you couldn't have possibly done a better job of celebrating your grandmother in this last post. I was moved to tears. And you will always, always look back on this great thing you did and be so proud that you honored her in this way. I was moved to tears. We will all miss her.

Ian, that was just wonderful. I know Bernie is loving every word. I only knew her through this blog and I came to respect and love and enjoy every post. She always would leave fun comments on my blog and I looked forward to them. People wonder how you can feel so much for someone you only know in this medium...I feel that her personality truly came forth in her writing. How lucky you were to have her in your life and I'm thinking she was a lucky gal to have you! I hope I can be the kind of Grandma she was to my own grandkkiddos....one final comment..did you know you can have the blog put into book form? There are many sites that can do this and then you would have all her final writings. I hope you and your family will find comfort and peace and I will miss her blog very much. Thanks for posting this last one.

Thankyou so much Ian, for sharing this last post and wonderful tribute to your grandmother. I, like many, came to "know" her through all her wonderful posts on this blog and to know and adore her personality. You must be a bit like her to write so well:-). I will miss her!!

Ian, thank you for writing such a lovely post. I'm so sorry to hear that your Grandmother has passed away. She was truly an inspiration and a delight to read. She will be missed by so many people for her charm and wit.

May God bless your family. I can very well see how good was Bernie (may her soul rest in peace forever)as she inculcated in you the deepest emotions of love and compassion towards your family. you are an epitome of goodness for this generation where values and love are no more recognised.

i did not know your grandmother, but i came over from Hilary's site this morning from her Post of the Week suggestions. you have described a wonderful woman with a big heart and love for life and family. God bless you in your grief...

Like some of the other commenters, I didnt know your grandmother or her blog and that it seems is my great loss but it doesnt compare to your loss, to your family's loss ... you did her proud with this post. And Ian you need to keep writing, you are a good writer .. she'd be proud!

Almost as if being here is too little, too late. What a great tribute to your grandmother. I am also here because of Midlife Jobhunter (I follow her like I am one of the Children of the Corn), and am glad - today, especially, for doing so. Geez, a grandma who loves the Packers. What a unique soul. EFH

Ian, your Grandmother would be so proud of the way you remembered her. I am glad it was your post that is her last on this blog she loved. Your insights into the Bernie that few people got to know so well make your tribute here so precious.

Big hugs to you, and hope to see you out at the lake next summer, making some great burgers.

What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. She does, indeed, sound like a character, and I regret not knowing about her blog before now. Hilary sent me over and I'm grateful I at least got to read your words. My condolences to your family!

Both your grandma and your mom are so proud of you right now, I'm certain. You write as well as they, and you've expressed perfectly your love for a woman who has left a huge hole with her passing. This was a perfect way to close a blog I'll miss terribly.

Ian, I popped in tonight as I was thinking of your grandmother, I miss her. Planning on reading some of her older post I was delighted to read this lovely post by you. Your love for your grandmother sincerely comes through in every word. I feel comfort knowing she was blessed with such a kind grandson. Thank you.Big hugs to your mother....:-)

I used to drop by when I saw she had posted ...something made me wonder why I had not seen one ....where did the time go ...I was so sorry to see she had passed so soon after her last post ...what a lady ...I envyed her energy ...and you did her proud.

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About Me

I'm 85 years old and I find the blog world very interesting. I especially like to read about people who live in different parts of the country and world. I am on the cusp of a new phase of my life that came home to me when filling out a form asking my marital status. I had to X in the "Widow" box. Blogging has been a wonderful outlet for me.